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Female fans normally know more facts about what’s going on than men do anyway. I’d say they’re a more intelligent fan on top of that. They normally know more about what we’ve done than we know about what we’ve done. --- Tony Stewart

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There are female fans who take apart engines and will take you apart if you have a problem with that; who are drawn to the danger and mystery of the sport; who watch races on TV to witness pure passion and unscripted emotion; who love the camaraderie of these family-friendly festivals; who feel the nervous anxiety of the lip-biting wives atop the pit boxes. --- Andrew Giangola “The Weekend Starts on Wednesday”

There was a time last year when Johanna Long, driver of the
No. 03 Mike Affarano Motorsports Chevrolet, doubted whether she would ever be
back racing in NASCAR.When her
hot-pink Camaro rolled off the truck at Richmond International Raceway this
weekend those doubts disappeared, for just a little while anyway.

“It was hard and very depressing not to be racing. I started to think that I
wouldn’t get another chance to race in NASCAR,” says Johanna Long. The 22-year-old lost her ride at the end of 2013 when ML Motorsports owner Mary Louise
Miller folded the team due to lack of sponsorship.

Since then Long has taken every opportunity to get in a racecar. In 2014 she
competed in a dozen or so races, mostly Late Models. Despite the setback, her
career goals remain intact. “I am a racer. My goal is to be in a racecar. That
hasn’t changed.”

Long has used her time off the track to stay in shape – both
mentally and physically. “I wanted to stay sharp since I didn’t know when I’d
get back in the car. I am probably in the best physical shape that I have ever
been. I stayed in touch with the sport and watched races so I could be mentally
and physically prepared to get back in the car whenever that happened.”

Unfortunately, after a disappointing qualifying finish, the
No. 03 team had to load up the car to go home. According to team owner Mike
Affarano the team will try it again on May 17that Iowa Speedway.

Despite yet another setback to continuing her NASCAR career, Long's enthusiasm and
determination may be what keeps her going. “I have been around race tracks
since I was 8. I love the sport. I love everything about racing – even the
smell of the fumes. I am not giving up,”

Carol D'Agostino is an avid NASCAR fan and Fantasy NASCAR enthusiast. Carol has been writing a weekly column called NASCAR Fantasy Fusion for Skirts and Scuffs since October 2011. She owns and operates Purple Cat, a public relations and marketing firm on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. She also serves as Main Street Manager for the Town of Centreville. In addition to NASCAR, Carol is a Philadelphia Phillies fan and enjoys gardening and cooking.

9
comments
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this is one reason why CUP DRIVERS should not run in the series. A under funded team has to pack up and go home. NASCAR states this is suppose tp be a "learning series" How can you learn when CUP drivers come in and JUST want to have some "FUN and RACE"

I could talk for hours on this subject as I have to so many people who want to drive a race car. The main issue is that no amount of talent is going to overcome the fact that racing at this level of NASCAR is not the same as running go-karts and you are not going to accomplish anything by putting together a race car in your backyard garage and think that you are going to be competitive in a high level NASCAR series. The Nationwide Series is not a "learning series" these days. You should be accomplished at the Late Model and K&N levels before attempting trucks or Xfinity. This is not the 1980's when the top level of NASCAR was less sophisticated than running a late model these days. Too many people trying to skip too many levels and they are not prepared nor are the teams they are going to who are in over their heads. 15 mph slower is nothing but dangerous to Johanna and to the other drivers on the track. She needs to get in good equipment to showcase her talents at a level that her budgets permits her to do so. I believe she can do well but she is bringing a rubber knife to a gunfight!

In 2012 and 2013 Johanna Long was around #20 In the points standings in Nationwide (Xfinity) and she didn't even have a top of the line sponsor. Give her a "Deep Pockets Company" and she can produce !!!